Sharpening device



Feb. 22, 1949. w. H. HAYDON 2,462,637

SHARPENING DEVICE Filed May 8, 1947 in 7 iii A l flmmm "M INVENTOR.

Q 3 l5. Egg 0 072 H BY" ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 22, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

The present invention relates to a general utility sharpening device.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a sharpening device constructed for selective employment with a plurality of elements each carrying a sharpening surface of a cliiferent character.

Another object is to provide a sharpening device of light-weight material, and of simple and inexpensive construction, and having a base plate or shield of such shape and dimensions so as to guard the operators hand against accidental contact with a knife edge during the knife sharpening operation.

In one of its broad aspects, the invention embraces a sharpening device comprising, a base plate or shield provided with a recessed portion, a handle on the opposite side of the base plate or shield from said recessed portion, and an element carrying a sharpening surface for removable engagement in the recessed portion of the base plate.

In general, the invention relates to a sharpening device including a shield with a sharpening element on one side thereof and a handle on the opposite side.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description thereof, and from the claims appended thereto.

In the drawing wherein like numerals refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the sharpening device embodying the features of the present invention,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the sharpening device shown in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of Figure 1, in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 of Figure 1, in the direction of the arrows, and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of the element carrying a sharpening surface, wherein a different sharpening surface is employed.

Referring now to the drawing, the numeral I0 generally represents a base plate or shield of oval configuration. The base plate or shield Il'I may be composed of any suitable material, such as stainless steel, plastics, or the like. The base plate In may likewise be of any desired shape or size, but it is preferred to make it oval, as shown in Figure 1.

The base plate ID is provided with a recessed or cut-out portion indicated by the numeral II. The recessed or cut-out portion I I may be of any desired shape, but it is preferred that it be rectangular in shape, as shown in Figure 1. The recessed portion is cut away at one wall thereof, as illustrated by the numeral I2. An element I3 is adapted for removable engagement in the recessed or cut away portion II of the base plate or shield Ill, and is provided with a sharpening stone i i which is cemented or glued to the upper surface thereof. The element I3 is preferably composed of wood, but may be made of any desirable material, such as plastic.

The rectangularly shaped element I3 has a spring member I5 disposed at one end thereof for engagement against the end wall of the recessed portion I'l, so as to hold the element I3 and the stone I4 tightly within the said recessed portion H during the sharpening operation. A handle I6 is secured to the base plate I0 on the opposite side from said recessed portion I I and is preferably curved in construction so that it may be easily and firmly gripped by the operator during the sharpening operation. The handle portion I6 is disposed diagonally with reference to the longitudinal axis of the recessed portion II and the element I 3, so that the device may be suitably gripped for an easy sharpening operation, minimizing the danger of being accidentally cut from a knife edge.

The base plate In is apertured at IT to provide means for hanging the general utility sharpening device in a kitchen, or the like.

Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown a modified form of the sharpening element comprising a wood block I3a having secured thereto a leather strap I la. A spring I5a is secured to one end of the rectangularly shaped sharpening element, and is employed in the same manner as the spring IE to hold the block 530, within the recess II of base plate I il. If it is desired to remove the block I3 from the base or shield plate III, the operator inserts his thumb in the cut away portion of the recess II and pushes against the tension of the spring I5 and then lifts the block I3 vertically until it is removed from the recess I I. The block I311, if it is desired, can then be inserted in the recess I I of the base plate Ill.

As pointed out, it is the primary purpose of the present invention to provide a sharpening device of general utility which may be employed with a plurality of sharpening surfaces depending upon the particular device being sharpened. For example, if it is desired to sharpen a knife,

or the like, the stone l4 may be employed as the sharpening surface. If it is desired to sharpen razor blades, or similar thin steel material, the sharpening surface I la, which is leather, is more desirable. Likewise, other sharpening ele-- ments may be employed, as for example steel, if it is desired.

Various modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit thereof, and it is therefore desired to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A sharpening device comprising, a base plate having a longitudinally extending recess therein terminating a substantial distance from the margins thereof, an abrasive member fitted firmly in said recess and extending above the top surface of the base plate, a handle member on the side of the base plate opposite to the recess adapted to be grasped by the fingers of the operator with the base plate extending over the operators hand and wrist to shield them from accidental contact with a tool being sharpened.

2. A sharpening device comprising a base plate having a length greater than its width and having a longitudinally extending recess therein of a length and width substantially less than that of the base plate to provide shielding portions on the base plate for protecting the hand and wrist of the user, a sharpening element fitted snugly in said recess, and, a handle on the opposite side of the base plate from said recess.

3 A sharpening device comprising an oval shaped base plate having a recess therein extending in the direction of the major axis of the base plate and having a length and width less than the base plate to provide a shielding portion on the base plate for the hand and wrist of the user, a sharpening element snugly mounted in said recess, and a handle on the opposite side of the base plate from said recess and sharpening element and disposed diagonally with reference to the major axis of the base plate.

4. A sharpening device as claimed in claim 3 characterized by the fact that the sharpening device is provided with a spring for engaging an end wall of the recess to removably retain the sharpening element within the recess.

WILLIAM H. HAYDON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,340,751 Colbert May 18, 1920 1,636,083 Stewart July 19, 1927 1,889,630 Bowden Nov. 29, 1932 

